Tripping mechanism



Nov. 30, 1965 A. M. TROCCOLI 3,220,263

TRIPPING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 15, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 T1 l.

5 1"" O 11" 25 J O j I if IN VEN TOR. AQT/ll/Q M TRoccou ATi ORNEY Nov. 30, 1965 A. M. TRdccou 3,220,263

TRIPPING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 13, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR M. TAOCCOL/ AT ORNEY Nov. 30, 1965 A. M. TROCCOLI 3, 20,263

TRIPPING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 13, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. ARTHUR M. 77?0ccoL/ A ORNEY Nov. 30, 1965 I A. M. TROCCOLI 3,220,263

TRIPPING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 15, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 i 92 Wk 79 1E INVENTOR. T 1 Apn/uR'A L 777acc0u ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1965 A. M. TROCCOLI TRIPPING MECHANISM 5 SheetsSheet 5 Filed Sept, 13. 1962 76 /07 '77 4271/1? M. Twccou INVENTOR.

AT ORNE) United States Patent ()fiice 3,220,263 Patented Nov. 30, 1965 3,226,263 TRIPPING MECHANISM Arthur M. Troccoli, Old Bridge, N.J., assignor to Elastic Stop Nut Corporation of America, Union, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 223,463 12 Claims. (Cl. 74-2) The present invention relates to tripping mechanisms and more particularly to tripping mechanisms for time delay devices.

In certain devices, such as control devices, it has become increasingly important to assure that a given event, such as the closing or opening of an electrical circuit, will take place only upon the lapse of a predetermined timed interval after initial activation of the device. The timed interval must be accurately defined upon initial activation of the device and must not be alterable by actuating the tripping mechanism during the full course of the interval.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a tripping mechanism which when actuated will initiate a predetermined timed cycle in a time delay device and will be incapable of affecting the completion of that cycle despite any further attempts at actuation during the course of the cycle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tripping mechanism for time delay devices which is wholly mechanical in its operation and compact in size.

The invention may be briefly described as a tripping mechanism for use in conjunction with a device having a motion transmitting member movable between a first position anda second position, said tripping mechanism comprising operator means, camming means movable in response to actuation of said operator means for moving said motion transmitting member from said first position only to said second position and initiating a predetermined timed interval during which said motion transmitting member will progressively return to said first position, and means responsive to the movement of said motion transmitting member for rendering said camming means incapable of movement during said timed interval so that the return of said motion transmitting member cannot be interrupted and said timed interval cannot be altered by actuation of said operator means.

The novel features of the invention both as to its structure and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a time delay control device employing a tripping mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the tripping mechanism of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of construction;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating parts of the mechanism of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the assembled parts of the mechanism in a neutral position;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 with the parts in another operative position;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG- URE 8;

FIGURE 10 is another view similar to FIGURE 6 with the parts in still another operative position;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 1111 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a further view similar to FIGURE 6 with the parts in a further operative position;

FIGURE 13 is a still further view similar to FIGURE 6 with the parts in a still further operative position;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary view of parts shown in FIGURE 13 in another operative position; and

FIGURE 15 is a final view similar to FIGURE 6 with the parts in a difierent operative position.

Referring now to the drawings and more praticularly to FIGURE 1, a tripping mechanism is illustrated generally at 10 which when actuated will activate a time delay control device 12 and initiate a predetermined timed interval upon the lapse of which control device 12 will perform some desired function such as opening or closing an electrical circuit.

The time delay control device is comprised of a timing head 14 and an electrical switch 15. A motion transmitting member is provided in the form of a rod 16 connected at one end to the timing head 14 and operatively engaging the switch actuating arm 18. The details of construction and operation of the timing head and the electrical switch are fully set forth in Patent No. 2,627,- 919, issued on February 10, 1953. It is sufficient for the purposes of the present description to indicate that when rod 16 is in a first or neutral position, switch 15 is in a first mode of operation. Upon longitudinal movement of rod 16 to a second position (to the left in FIGURE 1), timing head 14 is activated and switch 15 is simultaneously thrown to a second mode of operation. Timing head 14 will progressively return rod 16 to the first position at a predetermined rate of travel thereby returning switch 15 to the first mode of operation upon the lapse of a desired timed interval after the initial actuation of the switch.

The movement of rod 16 to the second position is accomplished by the tripping mechanism 10 which is operated by applying a force to a push-button operator 20 which actuates an operator element, illustrated in the form of a plunger 22. It is the function of the tripping mechanism to activate the time delay device for a predetermined timed interval by mechanically translating actuation of the operator element into a rapid and accurate movement of the motion transmitting member from the first position to a predetermined second position and then preventing interruption of the return travel of the motion transmitting member by any further movement of the operator element which may occur during the course of the timed interval so as to prevent alteration of the timed interval.

Referring now to the several views and more particularly to FIGURES 2, 3 and 5, the tripping mechanism is supported in a rigid frame having sides 24 and 25 and top and bottom ends 26 and 27, respectively. An aperture 28 in the bottom end 27 slidably receives a collar 3%] which is positioned on the end of the motion transmitting rod 16 as seen in FIGURE 1, 2 or 6. The top end 26 contains an opening 31 which is adapted to slidably receive the plunger 22 to which is attached the pushbutton operator 20. Mounted in the path of plunger 22 is a lever 34 adapted to rotate upon sleeve 36 from an initial position to a final position in response to actuation of the plunger 22. A pair of identical discs 40 are fixed to sleeve 36 at either side of the lever 34 and the sleeve 36 is mounted for rotation upon axle 41 which is fixed between sides 24 and 25, thereby allowing discs 40 to rotate concentric with, but independent of, the rotation of lever 34 (see FIGURES 2 and 3). Rotation of the discs 40 is limited by the action of a pair of stop pegs 42 and 44 which are anchored in each disc and which cooperate with a stationary pin 46 to confine such rotational movement to travel between an initial position wherein stop pegs 42 abut pin 46 (see FIGURE 6) and a position where stop pegs 44 abut pin 46 (see FIGURE 12).

Between the discs 40 is a cam 50 mounted upon a drive pin 52 which is fixed to the discs 40 so that the cam 50 is carried along a path of travel between a first location and a second location as discs 40 rotate from the initial position toward a final position as described above. As best seen in FIGURES 3, 4 and 6, the cam 50 is adapted to pivot upon the drive pin 52 and is biased by means of a spring 54 which is coiled around pin 52 and which resiliently maintains cam 50 against a back-up bar 58, also secured between the discs 40, for a purpose which will be explained hereinafter.

A drive spring 60 (see FIGURES 3, 5, and 6) is provided for rotating the discs 40 from their initial position toward the final position in a manner to be hereinafter described, the central portion 62 being coiled about sleeve 36 with the drive arms 64 secured to pin 52 and the bar portion 66 engaging the drive face 67 of lever 34. In order to return the lever 34 and the discs 40 to their respective initial positions, a return spring 70 is provided which is mounted between discs 40 and sides 24 and 25 with central portion 72 being coiled about axle 41 while arms 74 are secured to the stationary pin 46 and bar 76 engages the hook 77 provided in lever 34 and a return pin 78 is provided which is secured between the discs 40 and mechanically couples face 79 of the lever 34 to the discs 40.

Referring now to FIGURES 2, and 6, a latching mechanism 80 is provided to permit rotation of the lever 34 and the discs 40 only in the sequence called for during the operation of the tripping mechanism and includes a first latching member 81 and a second latching member 82. The first latching member 81 is hinged between sides 24 and 25 by means of a pin 83 (see also FIGURE 11) which passes through openings 84 in latch arms 85 which are thereby adapted to pivot about the pin 83 and which carry a first latch tooth 86 provided with an upright shoulder 88. The second latching member 82 is mounted between arms 85 for pivotal movement upon pin 83 which passes through opening 90 in latch arm 92 which in turn carries a second latch tooth 94 provided with a front face 96.

In order to alternatively prevent or permit rotation of the discs 40 and the lever 34, latch teeth 86 and 94 are biased toward the lever 34 by means of a spring unit 100 which is fastened to the bottom end 27 with a screw fastener 182 and is provided with leaf spring 104, which resiliently urges tooth 94 toward the lever 34, and leaf springs 106, which resiliently maintain tooth 86 in removable engagement with the notches 187 formed in the discs 40 and against the cam surface 108 which sequentially drives tooth 86 out of engagement with the notches 187 in response to the rotation of the lever 34 to alternatively prevent or permit rotation of the discs 40. As best seen in FIGURES S, 6 and 11, second latching member 82 is also provided with an arm 110 which has a pair of bearing edges 112 protruding from one surface thereof and being located so as to abut the shoulder 114 of collar 30 to prevent pivoting of latch arm 92 about pin 83 in a direction which would move latch tooth 94 into engagement with lever 34 until it becomes necessary in the sequence of operations for tooth 94 to engage the face 79 of the lever 34 to prevent the return rotation of the lever 34. The follower portion 116 of the collar 30 is allowed to project beyond arm 110 for a purpose which will be explained shortly.

The operation of the tripping mechanism will now be described by referring to FIGURES 6 through 15 which serve to illustrate the progressive operation of the device. Referring first to FIGURE 6, the motion transmitting member represented by rod 16 is shown in a first position, collar 38 being placed upon the end of rod 16 as aforesaid. The tripping mechanism is shown with the assembled component parts in a neutral or initial position with springs 60 and 70 in an unextended or unwound state. In the neutral position, the tooth 86 is positioned in the notch 107 formed in each disc 40 so that when the push-button 20 is moved to actuate plunger 22 in the direction of the arrow, the lever 34 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction while the discs 40 are held stationary. As the plunger 22 moves to rotate the lever 34 toward a final position, the return spring 70 is distended or wound since the arms 74 are held stationary by pin 46 while the bar portion 76 is carried in a counter-clockwise direction by the hook 77 of lever 34. At the same time drive spring 60 is distended or wound by virtue of the movement of bar portion 66 with surface 67 of lever 34 while arms 64 are secured to drive pin 52 which is held stationary between the two discs 40. Thus, mechanical energy is accumulated by the drive and return springs and stored therein during movement of the plunger and the lever. As best seen in FIGURES 7 and 9, as the lever 34 continues to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, cam surface 108 drives the tooth 86 out of the notches 107 and when lever 34 reaches the position shown in FIGURE 8, tooth 86 is completely disengaged from notches 107 and the discs 48 will begin to rotate rapidly in a counter-clockwise direction driven by the mechanical energy released from drive spring 60. As discs 48 rotate from their initial position toward a final position (see FIGURES 8, 10 and 12), the cam 50 is carried along a path of travel from a first location (FIG- URE 8) to a second location (FIGURE 12) by drive pin 52 which is fixed to the discs 40, and the cam engages the follower portion 116 of the collar 30. Since cam 50 is prevented from pivoting about the drive pin 52 in a clockwise direction by back-up bar 58, follower 116 will be driven in the direction of the arrow thus moving rod 16 to a second position. The movement of rod 16 to the second position throws switch 15 to a second mode of operation and activates timing head 14 to initiate the timed interval during which switch 15 will remain in the second mode of operation and rod 16 will return progressively to the first position.

As best seen in FIGURE 12, after cam 50 has moved the collar 38 to the second position, the cam is rotated toward a second location lying outside of the path of travel of collar 30 thereby allowing both collar 30 and rod 16 to freely return to the neutral or first position. The rotational travel of the discs 40 is limited by the engagement of pegs 44 with stationary pin 46 as explained above. In this position spring 60 is again in its unextended or neutral condition while spring 70 remains in an extended or wound condition.

In order to prevent interruption of the return travel of rod 16 and the consequent alteration of the timed interval, the lever 34 and the discs 40 are maintained in their respective final positions, as shown in FIGURE 13, by latch tooth 94 which has been allowed to be moved by the action of leaf spring 104, by virtue of the displacement of shoulder portion 114 of collar 30 in the direction of the arrow in FIGURE 10, until front face 96 contacts shoulder 88 of the latch tooth 86 and which now projects into the path of lever 34 and prevents rotation of the lever in a clockwise direction by engaging the face 79 of the lever 34. Since the lever 34 and the discs 48 are now mechanically coupled by means of the return pin 78 which is fixed between discs 40 and maintained against the face 79 by means of spring 60, it will be evident that until the latch tooth 94 allows the lever 34 and the discs 48 to be returned to their respective neutral or initial positions, actuation of plunger 22 by pressing of the push-button will have no effect upon the movement of the cam 50 or upon the timing cycle.

As rod 16 progressively returns toward its first position, collar moves in the direction of the arrow indicated in FIGURES l3 and 14, and the shoulder 114 will engage bearing edges 112 thereby pivoting latch arm 92 in a clockwise direction about pin 83 so that upon the arrival of rod 16 at the first position, latch tooth 94 will be rotated out of engagement with the lever 34 thereby allowing the lever 34 and the discs 40 to rotate in a clockwise direction back to their respective neutral or initial positions (lever 34 and pin 78 moving toward the position shown in phantom in FIGURE 14) The return rotation is effected by the release of the mechanical energy which up to this point had been stored in the return spring 70 as explained hereinbefore.

In order to prevent movement of collar 30 and rod 16 away from the first position and the consequent reactivation of the timing cycle as a result of engagement of the cam 50 with follower portion 116 of collar 30 while the lever 34 and the discs 40 are returning to their respective initial positions, the cam 50 is allowed to pivot about pin 52 in a counter-clockwise direction (away from its normal position depicted in phantom in FIGURE 15) as it returns over the follower 116 as shown in FIGURE 15. When cam 50 has arrived at its first location, the spring 54 will have returned the cam 50 back to its normal position against bar 58 so that when the plunger 22 is again actuated, the cam 50 will be in position to drive the collar 30 to the second position and begin a new timing cycle.

It is to be understood that the above detailed description of an embodiment of the invention is provided by way of example and is not intended to restrict the invention. Various details of design and construction may be modified without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tripping mechanism for use in conjunction with a device having a motion transmitting member movable between a first position and a second position, said tripping mechanism comprising:

(A) operatormeans;

(B) cam means movable in response to actuation of said operator means for moving said motion transmitting member from said first position only to said second position and initiating a predetermined timed interval during which said motion transmitting member will progressively return to said first position; and

(C) means responsive to the movement of said motion transmitting member for rendering said camming means incapable of movement during said timed interval so that the return of said motion transmitting member cannot be interrupted and said timed interval cannot be altered by actuation of said operator means.

2. A tripping mechanism for use in conjunction with a device having a motion transmitting member movable between a first position and a second position, said tripping mechanism comprising:

(A) operator means;

(B) camming means movable from an initial position to a final position in response to actuation of said operator means for moving said motion transmitting member from said first position only to said second position and initiating a predetermined timed interval during which said motion transmitting member will progressively return to said first position, said final position being located outside the path of said return travel; and

(C) means responsive to the movement of said motion transmitting member for rendering said camming means incapable of movement from said final position during said timed interval so that said timed interval cannot be altered through interruption of the return travel of said motion transmitting member by actuation of said operator means. 3. A tripping mechanism for use in conjunction with a device having a motion transmitting member movable 5 between a first position and a second position, said tripping mechanism comprising:

(A) operator means;

(B) camming means movable from a first location to a second location in response to actuation of said operator means for moving said motion transmitting member from said first position only to said second position and initiating a predetermined timed interval during which said motion transmitting member will progressively return to said first position, said second location being positioned outside the path of said return travel;

(C) means for maintaining said camming means in said second location during said timed interval so that the return travel of said motion transmitting member cannot be affected by actuation of said operator means; and

(D) means responsive to the arrival of said motion transmitting member at said first position for allowing said camming means to return to said first location only upon the lapse of said timed interval.

4. A tripping mechanism of claim 3 wherein said means for maintaining said camming means in said second location is responsive to the departure of said motion transmitting member from said first position.

5. A tripping mechanism of claim 3 wherein said camming means comprises:

(A) at least one disc rotatable from an initial position to a final position in response to actuation of said operator means; and a (B) a cam mounted upon said disc for movement therewith and operatively engageable with said motion transmitting member during rotation of said disc from said initial position to said final position for moving said motion transmitting member from said first position to said second position and initiating said timed interval.

6; A tripping mechanism for use in conjunction with a device having a motion transmitting member movable between a first position and a second position, said tripping mechanism comprising:

(A) operator means;

(B) camming means movable along a path of travel for moving said motion transmitting member from said first position to said second position and initiating a timed interval during which said motion transmitting member will progressively return to said first position;

(C) energy storing means operatively related to said operator means and said camming means such that mechanical energy is stored during actuation of said operator means and then released for driving said camming means along said path of travel; and

(D) means responsive to the movement of said motion transmitting member for rendering said energy storing means incapable of operation during said timed interval so that said timed interval cannot be altered by actuation of said operator means.

7. A tripping mechanism for use in conjunction with a device having a motion transmitting member movable between a first position and a second position, said tripping mechanism comprising:

(A) an operator element;

(B) first means located relative to said operator element for movement from an initial position to a final position in response to actuation of said operator element;

(C) camming means movable along a path of travel for moving said motion transmitting member from said first position to said second position and initiating a timed interval during which said motion transmitting member will progressively return to said first position;

(D) energy storing means operatively related to said first means and to said camming means such that mechanical energy is stored during movement of said first means from said initial position toward said final position and released when said first means approaches said final position for driving said camming means along said path of travel; and

(E) second means responsive to the movement of said motion transmitting member for rendering said first means incapable of movement during said timed interval so that said timed interval cannot be altered by actuation of said operator element.

8. A tripping mechanism of claim 7 wherein said second means comprises:

(A) means for maintaining said first means in said final position during said timed interval so that said energy storing means is incapable of operation during said timed interval; and

(B) means responsive to the arrival of said motion transmitting member at said first position for allowing said first means to return to said initial position upon the lapse of said timed interval.

9. A tripping mechanism of claim 7 wherein said energy storing means comprises spring means.

10. A tripping mechanism for use in conjunction with a device having a motion transmitting member movable between a first position and a second position,- said tripping mechanism comprising:

(A) an operator element;

(B) first means located relative to said operator element for movement from an initial position to a final position in response to actuation of said operator element;

(C) camming means movable from a first location to a second location independent of the actuation of said operator element and engageable with said motion transmitting member during such movement for moving said motion transmitting member from said first position to said second position and initiating a timed interval during which said motion transmitting member will progressively return to said first position, said second location being positioned outside the path of said return travel;

(D) second means for retaining said camming means at said first location during movement of said first means from said initial position toward said final position;

(E) third means for releasing said camming means when said first means is in said final position;

(F) spring means operatively related to said first means and to said camming means such that mechanical energy is stored during movement of said first means from said initial position toward said final position and released when said first means is in said final position for driving said camming means from said first location to said second location; and

(G) fourth means responsive to the movement of said motion transmitting member for rendering said first means incapable of movement during said timed interval so that said timed interval cannot be altered by actuation of said operator element.

'11. A tripping mechanism of claim 10 wherein said fourth means comprises:

(A) means for maintaining said first means in said final position and Said camming means in said second location during said timed interval so that the return travel of said motion transmitting member cannot be affected by actuation of said operator element; and

(B) means responsive to the arrival of said motion transmitting member at said first position for allowing said first means to return to said initial position and said camming means to return to said first location upon the lapse of said timed interval.

12. In a time delay control device having a motion transmitting member movable between a first position and a second position, a tripping mechanism capable of moving said member only when said member is in said first position and then only to said second position, said tripping mechanism comprising:

(A) an operator element;

(B) a lever mounted for rotation by said element from an initial position to a final position;

(C) at least one disc rotatable from an initial position to a final position independentof said lever;

(D) a first latch urged into engagement with said disc for preventing rotation of said disc as said lever is rotated from said initial position toward said final position;

(E) means for disengaging said latch from said disc when said lever is in said final position;

(F) first spring means operatively related to said lever and said disc such that mechanical'energy is stored therein by said rotation of said lever and then released upon said disengagement of said latch for rotating said disc from said initial position to said final position;

(G) a cam mounted upon said disc for movement from a first location to a second location and operatively engageable with said motion transmitting member during said rotation of said disc said motion transmitting member from said first position to said second position and initiating a timed interval during which said motion transmitting member will progressively return to said first position, said second location being positioned outside the path of said return travel;

(H) a second latch urged into engagement with said lever when said lever is in said final position for maintaining said lever and said disc in their respective final positions during said timed interval so that said timed interval cannot be altered by movement of said operator element;

(1) means responsive to the arrival of said motion transmitting member at said first position for disengaging said second latch from said lever only upon the lapse of said timed interval;.and

(I) second spring means operatively related to said lever and said disc such that mechanical energy is stored therein by said rotation of said lever and then released upon said disengagement of said second latch for returning said lever and said disc to their respective initial positions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS I 1,043,951 11/1912 McAnelly 742 1,468,580 9/1923 Smith 743.5 2,295,853 9/1942 Ley 74-2 2,436,448 2/1948 Padelford 743.5

I BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,220,263 November 30, 1965 Arthur M. Troccoli It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 44, for "cam" read camming 8, line 35, after "disc" insert for moving column Signed and sealed this 27th day of September 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. A TRIPPING MECHANISM FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DEVICE HAVING A MOTION TRANSMITTING MEMBER MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION AND A SECOND POSITION, SAID TRIPPING MECHANISM COMPRISING: (A) OPERATOR MEANS; (B) CAM MEANS MOVABLE IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF SAID OPERATOR MEANS FOR MOVING SAID MOTION TRANSMITTING MEMBER FROM SAID FIRST POSITION ONLY TO SAID SECOND POSITION AND INITIATING A PREDETERMINED TIMED INTERVAL DURING WHICH SAID MOTION TRANSMITTING MEMBER WILL PROGRESSIVELY RETURN TO SAID FIRST POSITION; AND (C) MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID MOTION TRANSMITTING MEMBER FOR RENDERING SAID CAMMING MEANS INCAPABLE OF MOVEMENT DURING SAID TIMED INTERVAL SO THAT THE RETURN OF SAID MOTION TRANSMITTING MEMBER CANNOT BE INTERRUPTED AND SAID TIMED INTERVAL CANNOT BE ALTERED BY ACTUATION OF SAID OPERATOR MEANS. 